Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is developing four ports in the Western Region of the emirate, which will support the development of critical infrastructure in the region, a top official told Gulf News.
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) is developing Marfa, Sila, Mugharrag and Delma Ports, improving the facilities and investing in the infrastructure in each location, Captain Mohammad Juma Al Shamsi, the CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), said.
There are several critical infrastructure projects which are dependent on a smooth logistics supply chain in the region, he pointed out.
Al Shamsi was referring to the ongoing major projects such as Etihad Railway, nuclear power plants and a number of other planned projects in the region.
The Western Region constitutes 83 per cent of the emirate’s land mass and comprises major towns such as Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Liwa, Ruwais and Sila. Abu Dhabi emirate occupies an area of 67,340 square kilometres, excluding islands, of the UAE’s 83,600 sq km total area, according to official figures.
ADPC’s investment will enhance the facilities in each port’s supply chain, Al Shamsi said.
Apart from boosting local industries and supporting the port communities, these investments will also support the developments and infrastructure projects planned in the region, he explained.
“ADPC invested more than Dh27 million in the Al Gharbia [Western region] last year. The investments included Dh7.5 million in Mugharrag Port and Dh2.5 million for the first phase of development at Delma Port,” the official explained.
The development work in Marfa Port has been split into two phases. ADPC has recently awarded a Dh20 million contract to Alba Tec, a construction company for the second phase of development of Marfa Port, he said.
Asked whether ADPC has any plans to develop industrial zones or free trade zones in line with Kizad (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi) at Khalifa Port, Al Shamsi said, Kizad is able to cater to the existing demand. There are other infrastructures and mechanisms around small ports to support their business, he added. For example, ICAD (Industrial City of Abu Dhabi) is close to Mussaffah Port.
